MEI, or Merit, Excellence, and Intelligence, refers to a hiring and organizational approach emphasizing individual qualifications, skills, and capabilities over demographic considerations like race, gender, or background. This philosophy is positioned as a meritocratic alternative to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, focusing on building strong teams by prioritizing talent, work ethic, and performance.
Proponents of MEI argue that selecting candidates based on merit ensures fairness and excellence while naturally fostering diversity through an unbiased evaluation of talent. It aims to eliminate perceived biases associated with prioritizing demographic representation over qualifications. Critics of MEI policies suggest that they could overlook systemic barriers that limit access to opportunities for underrepresented groups.
The MEI framework is part of an ongoing conversation about the balance between ensuring fairness in hiring and promoting workplace diversity .
